Stage 2 Biology

Stage 2 Biology - Length | Full Year (20 credits)

Aims

In this subject, students are expected to:

·   Identify and formulate questions, hypotheses, concepts, and purposes that guide biological investigations

·   Design and conduct individual and collaborative biological investigations

·   Manipulate apparatus and use technological tools and numeracy skills to obtain, represent, analyse, interpret, and evaluate data and observations from biological investigations

·   Select and critically evaluate biological evidence from different sources and present informed conclusions and personal views on social, ethical, and environmental issues

·   Communicate their knowledge and understanding of biological concepts using appropriate biological terms and conventions

·   Demonstrate and apply biological knowledge and understanding of concepts and interrelationships to a range of contexts and problems, including by presenting alternative explanations.

Content

There are four topics to the course:

Topic 1:                         DNA and proteins

Topic 2:                         Cells as the basis of life

Topic 3:                         Homeostasis

Topic 4:                         Evolution

Assessment

Students demonstrate evidence of their learning through the following Assessment Types:

School Based Assessment                                               (70%)

Assessment Type 1: Investigations Folio                 (30%)

Assessment Type 2: Skills and Applications Tasks (40%)

Students undertake at least two practical investigations and a Science as a Human Endeavour Investigation for the Investigation Folio, and at least three Skills and Application Tasks.

External Assessment                                                      (30%)

Assessment Type 3:   Online Examination                  (30%)

The school based assessment and the external assessment will be marked with reference to the SACE performance standards.